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Parliament Monsoon Session highlights: Rajya Sabha passes Bill to improve efficiency of Tribunals, improve transparency

The Bill provides for the setting up of a National Tribunals Commission to select chairpersons and members for various tribunals.

Lok Sabha passes Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 seeking to change the state's name to Keralam. (Video grab from Sansad TV)

A day after it was passed in the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026. The Bill provides for the setting up of a commission to conduct the selection for chairpersons and members of the tribunals, including Central Administrative Tribunal, Armed Forces Tribunal, National Green Tribunal, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

Meanwhile, the Kerala Alteration of Name Bill, 2026 was passed in the House. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was supposed to move the bill remained ‘absent’. The National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill was also passed in Lok Sabha. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju had assured on Monday that the government is ready for a discussion on students’ protest. Rijiju said Home Minister Amit Shah will reply to the debate on the students’ agitation, but the Opposition would have to listen to the government’s response peacefully.

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Face-off between NDA and INDIA bloc: NDA and Opposition INDIA bloc MPs came face-to-face at the main gate of Parliament on Tuesday as both sides staged protests and raised counter-slogans over police action against job aspirants in Jharkhand and theft of Ram temple donations in Ayodhya. NDA MPs accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of “running away” from a debate on student protests, while INDIA bloc MPs demanded accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah for July 20 protests in Delhi. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi said that Rahul Gandhi met student protesters in Jharkhand and asked Amit Shah to respond.

Opposition parties want ‘answers’ from Home Minister: The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Monday, during a press conference said that Amit Shah must answer who ordered the firing on students and that people are not interested in ‘fantasy conversations.’ Union Minsiter Kiren Rijiju had said that Amit Shah will give point-to-point reply on the matter. Earlier on Monday, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned as the Opposition demanded the presence of Amit Shah amid constant sloganeering. The Opposition parties organised a protest outside Parliament with ‘Amit Shah Jawab Do’ (‘Give us an answer, Amit Shah’) posters in hand.

What happened on July 20:The Delhi Police and anti-riot forces used heavy lathi charge, tear gas and water canons on thousands on protesters at Ashoka Road, Janpath and Bhai Vir Singh Marg who gathered to seek resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

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Aug 11, 2026 10:00 PM IST

Central Jungle Warfare College to be established in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur: Govt

The Centre will set up the Central Jungle Warfare College (CRPF) in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, which was once a hotbed of Naxal activities, to train forces for jungle combat, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said it has been decided that the Central Jungle Warfare College (CRPF) would be set up in Bijapur and the Regional Training Centre (CISF) in Bihar's Kishanganj district.

A total number of 83 training institutions of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been established all over the country, the minister said.

"Expansion, modernisation and upgradation of training centres are being done on a requirement basis. Further, purchase of motor vehicles, technical gadgets and creation of manpower for imparting training in CAPFs has been carried out from time to time," he added. PTI

Aug 11, 2026 08:28 PM IST

Parliamentary panel recommends mandatory kidney tests for all aged 20 yrs and above every 6 months

A parliamentary committee has recommended mandatory kidney function tests every six months for everyone aged 20 years and above, along with annual screening of all high-risk individuals, as part of a policy shift from treating advanced kidney failure to preventing and slowing disease progression.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has recommended that the biannual kidney function test (KFT) be provided free of cost to people below the poverty line and at a nominal cost to those above the poverty line under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).

For high-risk individuals, the screening should include assessment of kidney function using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin/protein testing, along with appropriate referral and follow-up, the panel said.

In its 177th report on "Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in India - Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment and Management", the committee headed by Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Yadav made 66 recommendations covering prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The report was presented in Rajya Sabha and laid on the table of Lok Sabha on August 7. PTI

Aug 11, 2026 07:54 PM IST

LS passes Bill to amend NCDC Act to boost cooperative sector amid din

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed a Bill to broaden the mandate of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to give loans and grants directly to cooperative societies without a debate.

Minister of State for Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, moved the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was passed without a debate amid continued ruckus by the opposition seeking the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, who also holds the cooperation portfolio, over the police crackdown on students during a protest march to Parliament on July 20.

The NCDC, a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Cooperation, was established in 1963 under the National Cooperative Development Corporation Act, 1962.

Its main activities include planning, promoting and financing programmes for the production, processing, marketing, storage and export-import of agricultural produce, foodstuffs, and other notified commodities. PTI

Aug 11, 2026 07:21 PM IST

Govt considering sending FCRA Bill to joint committee of Parliament for further scrutiny: Sources

The government is considering sending 'The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026' to a joint committee of both houses of Parliament, even as the Congress and some opposition parties have demanded that it be withdrawn, sources said on Tuesday.

The Congress and TMC were among the parties which raised the issue during the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha, though it was not part of the agenda, asking when the FCRA Bill will be taken up in the House, to which the government said a decision will be taken on it in due course of time.

The two parties demanded that the bill be withdrawn, but others like BJD feel the bill could be sent to a joint committee of Parliament for further scrutiny.

The DMK also wants the Bill to be withdrawn, the sources said.

The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25 this year and proposes tighter government oversight on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and foreign funding in the country.

Government sources said it is considering sending the Bill to a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament and a motion may be brought in the Lok Sabha in this regard on Wednesday. PTI

Aug 11, 2026 07:05 PM IST

FM's remark against Communists expunged in RS by chairman Radhakrishnan

A phrase used by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Rajya Sabha to attack the Communist parties was expunged by Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Tuesday.

Sitharaman, while replying to a debate on 'The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026' on Monday, attacked CPI-M member John Brittas and used a phrase to describe the Communists, but it was expunged and removed from the records of the upper house.

The finance minister had also accused the member of spreading confusion and misinformation while claiming that the government was charging fees on UPI payments through the bill.

Sitharaman also clarified that UPI payments will remain free for consumers, and any future merchant charges (MDR) will apply only to certain categories of merchant transactions, while allaying apprehensions that charges may be imposed on UPI transactions.

"That is typical Communist style. Blast everybody with no facts, twist the facts and do something and also demand, 'My right; I have to speak', all that. And, when actually the replies are going to be given to them point by point, they do not have the courage... Communists in this country are total ..... The member has proven that. They cannot face facts. But they will go on filibustering, making noise...

"John Brittas ji should stay here to hear the reply because he has been creating confusion all over; not just here but in the country because that is the tactic the Communists adopt... Total untruths...," Sitharaman said in the house while attacking Brittas.

Objecting to Sitharaman's remarks, CPI leader P Sandosh had written to the RS chairman for expunging the remarks. PTI

Aug 11, 2026 05:37 PM IST

VIDEO | Opposition didn't allow discussion on students' protest, government was prepared: Rijiju

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "...Yesterday we offered to have a detailed discussion on the incidents related to the students' protest, and the government was fully prepared to respond. Home Minister Amit Shah was also fully prepared for the discussion from yesterday. However, the Opposition did not allow the discussion to take place. Even today, we were ready from the morning. All NDA MPs were seated in the House with the expectation that the discussion would begin, and the Home Minister was also fully prepared to respond. But the Congress party once again walked out, raised slogans outside and did not allow the discussion to take place. It has now become clear to the people of the country that we are ready for a discussion, while the Congress is running away from it. There are two things you need to understand clearly. Rahul Gandhi has been saying from the beginning that the Home Minister should make a statement. We are saying, why limit it to just a statement? We are ready for a full discussion. A statement is merely a formal written response. We are prepared to go beyond that and have a detailed discussion."

VIDEO | Delhi: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju says, "...Yesterday we offered to have a detailed discussion on the incidents related to the students' protest, and the government was fully prepared to respond. Home Minister Amit Shah was also fully prepared for… pic.twitter.com/Bx9MVhHOZl
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 11, 2026

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Aug 11, 2026 05:23 PM IST

Climate change aggravating extreme weather events in Himalayas; human factors adding to risk: Govt

Climate change is aggravating the intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall events in the Himalayan region, while human-related factors are also adding to the disaster risk, the Centre informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The response came to a query on whether climate change and unscientific construction activities were contributing to the rise in cloudbursts incidents and other disasters in Himachal Pradesh.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said assessments by weather experts, scientific institutions and state authorities indicate that climate change has increased the intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall events in the Himalayan region.

The government has constituted a Multi-Sectoral Central Team (MSCT) in view of the increasing frequency and intensity of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and extreme rainfall event in Himachal Pradesh, the minister said. PTI

Aug 11, 2026 04:59 PM IST

Shah 'no-show' in LS, proved that those who intimidate are cowards: Congress

The Congress took a swipe at Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, saying he was a "no-show" in the Lok Sabha again despite business listed against his name and thus, he has proved that those who intimidate are themselves "cowards".

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said after all the planting of news and desperate attempts to shift the narrative, the home minister was a "no-show" in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday as well -- even though he had business listed against his name.

"Once again, he has proved that those who intimidate are themselves cowards," Ramesh said in a post on X.

Shah has been missing from the Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha for 17 days now, which is truly unprecedented, the former Union minister added.

"The question naturally arises: Is he well? Is all ok between #1 and #2? The nation wants to know," he said, in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the home minister. PTI

Aug 11, 2026 04:45 PM IST

Rajya Sabha passes Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 to streamline functioning, appointments of tribunals

The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, aimed at bringing reforms in the functioning, administration and appointment process of tribunals across the country.

The Bill seeks to improve the functioning of tribunals and ensure transparency and uniformity in the appointment and service conditions of tribunal members. It also proposes setting up a National Tribunals Commission.

Replying to the discussions in the Upper House, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that while infrastructure such as roads, railways, airports and seaports is essential for development, legal infrastructure is equally important for the country's progress.

"The way roads, railways, airports and seaports are important, equally important is legal infrastructure. This is why we have brought the Tribunals Reforms Bill," Meghwal said.

The Minister highlighted that the absence of a mechanism for speedy disposal of disputes remains a challenge and stressed that an efficient tribunal system is an important foundation for India's economic growth. ANI

Aug 11, 2026 03:55 PM IST

INDIA bloc parties stage walkout from Rajya Sabha

Opposition INDIA bloc parties staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday in the post-lunch sitting after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to speak by the Chair, as the Upper House debated The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026.

The Upper House, which has been witnessing repeated adjournments as Opposition parties have been raising demand for Home Minister Amit Shah to make a statement on the use of force, including the use of pellet guns, on protesting students last month, and the issue of alleged donation theft at the Ram temple, saw two adjournments in the pre-lunch sitting on Tuesday.

As the House met at 2 pm, The Tribunals Reforms Bill was taken up amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs.

The Chair urged MPs to speak only on the Bill, and did not allow Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to speak initially, leading to chants of "let LoP speak" from Opposition benches. PTI

Aug 11, 2026 03:44 PM IST

Sebi measures reduce equity F&O losses for retail investors in FY26

Regulatory measures introduced by Sebi curtailed the aggregate net losses of retail investors in the equity derivatives segment to Rs 91,685 crore in FY26, down from Rs 1.12 lakh crore in the preceding fiscal year, Parliament was informed on Tuesday.

Additionally, both retail investor volumes and overall trading turnover in equity derivatives (Futures and Options) fell in FY26 compared to the preceding year, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

"Following the regulatory measures, Sebi has observed a year-on-year decline in the number of unique individual investors from 98.10 lakh to 78.60 lakh and net losses of the individuals from Rs 1,11,788 crore to Rs 91,685 crore in the equity derivatives segment in 2025-26, compared to the previous year," Chaudhary said.

However, the average per person loss increased to Rs 1,16,654 from Rs 1,13,913 over the period.

Also, equity derivatives turnover dropped to Rs 202 lakh crore in FY26 from Rs 213 lakh crore in FY25. PTI

Aug 11, 2026 02:50 PM IST

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day after passage of two bills without debate.

Aug 11, 2026 02:24 PM IST

National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill passed in Lok Sabha

Discussion on National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill underway. The Bill is passed in the Lok Sabha. The house is adjourned for the day.

Aug 11, 2026 02:14 PM IST

Kerala Alteration of Name Bill, 2026 passed in Lok Sabha

Amid heavy sloganeering by the Opposition, the Kerala Alteration of Name Bill, 2026 was passed to be discussed in the House. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was supposed to move the bill remained 'absent'. Minister of State Nityanand Rai asked what is the issue in renaming 'Kerala' as 'Keralam'. The Bill was passed by voice vote without discussion.

Aug 11, 2026 02:06 PM IST

Proceedings resume in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha resumes. The Opposition continues to raise slogans demanding Amit Shah's presence in the House and discussion on Ayodhya donation theft.

Aug 11, 2026 01:23 PM IST

Dharmendra Pradhan attacks Rahul Gandhi, Congress over student protests in Jharkhand

Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday accused Congress and Rahul Gandhi of spreading 'lies' over student issues and alleged that the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was avoiding Parliament because he did not want to listen to the government's response.

He alleged that Rahul Gandhi and Congress were making baseless accusations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah out of political desperation, while the government was ready to discuss every issue in Parliament.

छात्रों के हितों को लेकर @INCIndia लगातार झूठ फैला रही है, @RahulGandhi के पास तथ्य नहीं है, आदतन झूठ बोलने वाले नेता प्रतिपक्ष को न संसद में आना है और न जवाब सुनना है। इन्हें तो बस अपना झूठ फैलाकर घड़ियाली आँसू बहाना है।

माननीय गृहमंत्री श्री @AmitShah जी पर बेवजह बिना किसी…
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 11, 2026

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Aug 11, 2026 12:44 PM IST

Priyanka Gandhi says Rahul met Jharkhand students, asks Amit Shah to make statement

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday said Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had met students protesting in Jharkhand. "Rahul Gandhi has met the students from Jharkhand," Priyanka Gandhi said after arriving at Parliament amid a protest by NDA MPs. She demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah come to the House and make a statement.

Priyanka Gandhi said it was the first time she had seen ruling party MPs hold a protest, adding, "At least we have forced them to do this." Her remarks came a day after student protesters in Jharkhand demonstrated outside the state Assembly in Ranchi over their demands and alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

Aug 11, 2026 12:32 PM IST

Opposition MPs protest in Parliament over Ram temple donations, Jharkhand student action

Opposition MPs, including Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party MPs Akhilesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav, staged a protest in the Parliament complex on Tuesday over the alleged misappropriation of Ram temple donations and police action against protesting students in Jharkhand. Dimple Yadav said the Opposition wanted the government to make statements on both issues and alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was unwilling to come to the House and respond.

Aug 11, 2026 12:08 PM IST

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

Proceedings resume in the Rajya Sabha. Chairman CP Radhakrishnan said that LoP wants to raise an issue about a state and that will not be encouraged. He added that even this (treasury) side wants to raise the Jharkhand issue, but he has not allowed it. Sloganeering by opposition continues amid Question Hour. Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm today.

Aug 11, 2026 11:39 AM IST

NDA MPs ask why is Rahul Gandhi silent on lathi-charge against students

NDA MPs on Tuesday protested in Delhi, accusing the Opposition of avoiding discussions in Parliament while raising issues outside the House. The protest focused on the student agitation in Jharkhand, with BJP MPs questioning Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's alleged silence over the use of lathis and water cannons against protesting students. BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi asked Gandhi to explain his silence. "When there is a lathi-charge against students in Jharkhand, Rahul Gandhi is silent. What is the reason behind his silence? We urge him to reply," she said.

Aug 11, 2026 11:18 AM IST

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm

Proceedings commence in the Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon amid din soon after Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge spoke on Ram Mandir Trust issue.

Aug 11, 2026 11:05 AM IST

Lok Sabha adjourned as Opposition raises slogans

Lok Sabha proceedings commence. Speaker Om Birla urges members to maintain peace and let the Question hour proceed smoothly. He says that the question hour decides future policies of the nation and it is extremely crucial. The Opposition continued to raise slogans of 'Amit Shah, Sadan mein aao.' Speaker Om Birla said that the government has already assured a discussion on the matter of students' protest in the House. He says, "I request you to cooperate so that we can begin with the proceedings of the House."

Lok Sabha is adjourned till 2 pm.

Aug 11, 2026 10:57 AM IST

NDA MPs greet PM Modi with tricolour

NDA MPs on Tuesday greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the tricolour and slogans of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' as he arrived for the ruling coalition's weekly parliamentary party meeting at Parliament House. BJP president Nitin Nabin and Union ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Nitin Gadkari, Shivraj Singh Chouhan and S Jaishankar were present in the meeting. The NDA parliamentary party meeting is held every Tuesday when Parliament is in session. The Monsoon Session, which began on July 20, is scheduled to conclude on August 13.

Aug 11, 2026 10:54 AM IST

Union Minister Chirag Paswan says Opposition changing goalposts

NDA MPs on Tuesday held a march inside the Parliament premises over the police action against protesting students in Jharkhand.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan accused the Opposition of repeatedly changing its demands and disrupting the Monsoon Session. He said the government was ready to discuss all issues, but the Opposition kept 'changing the goalposts'.

VIDEO | Parliament Monsoon Session: NDA MPs hold a march inside Parliament premises over police action against protesting students in Jharkhand.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan says, “The way the Opposition kept disrupting the entire session. Today, when the government is ready to… pic.twitter.com/bNgtbDIaNR
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 11, 2026

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Aug 11, 2026 10:47 AM IST

NDA MPs protest at Parliament over Jharkhand police action

NDA MPs on Tuesday staged protests outside the main entrance of Parliament House over the police action against protesters in Jharkhand. The MPs also staged a protest at Makar Dwar, targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of "running away" from a debate. The protests come amid the ongoing deadlock in Parliament over the handling of student and youth protests.